18-year-old charged in crash that killed Pa. police officer

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An 18-year-old has been charged in a crash last June that killed an off-duty Philadelphia police officer, according to a story from The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Aleksander Melnikov, of the 9900 block of Bustleton Avenue, was arrested Friday on several charges, including homicide by vehicle and reckless driving, the site reported.

Police told the Inquirer Melnikov was driving a 2009 BMW “at a high rate of speed” when he went through a red light at Bustleton Avenue and Rennard Street just before midnight on June 23.

The BMW collided with a 2010 Hyundai driven by Police Officer Henry Gonski III, who was assigned to Philadelphia International Airport.

Gonski had to be extricated from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene, the site said.

Melnikov and the two other occupants of the BMW had no reported injuries.

After being arrested, Melnikov was released on $100,000 bail, the Inquirer said. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 17. The investigation is ongoing.

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